Methods of using nucleic acid vector-lipid complexes
View Patent ↗This invention relates to a vaccine and a method for immune activation which is effective for eliciting both a systemic, non-antigen specific immune response and a strong antigen-specific immune response in a mammal. The method is particularly effective for protecting a mammal from a disease including cancer, a disease associated with allergic inflammation, an infectious disease, or a condition associated with a deleterious activity of a self-antigen. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions useful in such a method.
1. A method for eliciting a systemic, non-antigen-specific immune response in a mammal, comprising administering to said mammal an amount of a composition effective to elicit said immune response, wherein said composition comprises:
a. a cationic liposome delivery vehicle; and
b. an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising an isolated bacterially-derived nucleic acid vector without a gene insert or a fragment thereof.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said liposome delivery vehicle comprises lipids selected from the group consisting of multilamellar vesicle lipids and extruded lipids.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said liposome delivery vehicle comprises multilamellar vesicle lipids.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said liposome delivery vehicle comprises pairs of lipids selected from the group consisting of DOTMA and cholesterol; DOTAP and cholesterol; DOTIM and cholesterol, and DDAB and cholesterol.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said liposome delivery vehicle comprises DOTAP and cholesterol.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said excipient comprises a non-ionic diluent.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said excipient is 5 percent dextrose in water.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said composition has a nucleic acid to lipid ratio of from about 1:1 to about 1:64.